Meaning and Usage
"過失" (かしつ) refers to an error, mistake, or negligence, often implying a failure to exercise proper care. It is commonly used in legal, professional, and everyday contexts to describe faults caused by carelessness rather than intentional wrongdoing.
Common Contexts
You will often see "過失" in discussions about accidents, legal responsibility, or workplace errors. For example, "過失致死" means negligent homicide, a legal term.
Collocations and Patterns
- 過失を認める: to admit a mistake or negligence
- 過失による事故: an accident caused by negligence
- 過失致死: negligent homicide (legal term)
Register and Nuance
"過失" is a formal word, often used in written language, legal documents, and formal speech. In casual conversation, people might use simpler words like "ミス" or "間違い" for mistake.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "過失" with intentional wrongdoing. Remember, "過失" implies unintentional error or negligence, not deliberate fault.